Games and fun activities are a vital part ofteaching English as a foreign language. Whether you're teaching adults or children, games will liven up your lesson and ensure that your students will leave the classroom wanting more.Games can be used to warm up the class before your lesson begins, during the lesson to give students a break when you're tackling a tough subject, or at the end of class when you have a few minutes left to kill. There are literally hundreds, probably thousands, of games that you can play with your students. EFL games are used to test vocabulary, practice conversing, learn tenses - the list is endless.This list of ten classic ESL games every teacher should know will help get you started and feeling prepared. Having these up your sleeve before stepping into the classroom will ensure your lessons run smoothly, and, should things get a little out of control, you'll be able to pull back the attention of the class in no time.Don't have a job yet? Check ourteaching job boardfor the latest openings around the world!1. Board RaceThere isn't anEFL teacherI know who doesn't use this game in the classroom. Board Race is a fun game that is used for revising vocabulary, whether it be words from the lesson you've just taught or words from a lesson you taught last week. It can also be used at the start of the class to get students active. It is a great way of testing what your students already know about the subject you're about to teach. Why use it?Revising vocabulary; grammar Who it's best for:Appropriate for all levels and agesHow to play:First, watch this helpful video of real teachers using this game in the classroom byBridgeTEFL:This is best played with 6 students or more - the more, the better. I've used it in classes ranging from 7-25 years of age and it's worked well in all age groups. Here's a step by step explanation: Split the class into two teams and give each team a colored marker. If you have a very large class, it may be better to split the students into teams of 3 or 4. Draw a line down the middle of the board and write a topic at the top. The students must then write as many words as you require related to the topic in the form of a relay race. Each team wins one point for each correct word. Any words that are unreadable or misspelled are not counted.

2. Call My Bluff / Two Truths and A Lie

Call My Bluff is a fun game which is perfect at the start of term as a 'getting to know you' kind of game. It is also a brilliant ice breaker between students if you teach classes who do not know one another -- and especially essential if you are teaching asmall class size.The game is excellent for practicing speaking skills, though make sure you save a time for after the game to comment on any mistakes students may have made during the game. (I generally like to reserve this for after the game, so you don't disrupt their fluency by correcting them as they speak).With older groups you can have some real fun and you might be surprised what you'll learn about some of your students when playing this particular EFL game. Why use it?Ice-breaker; Speaking skills Who it's best for:Appropriate for all levels and ages but best with older groupsHow to play: Write 3 statements about yourself on the board, two of which should be lies and one which should be true. Allow your students to ask you questions about each statement and then guess which one is the truth. You might want to practice your poker face before starting this game! If they guess correctly then they win. Extension:Give students time to write their own two truths and one lie. Pair them up and have them play again, this time with their list, with their new partner. If you want to really extend the game and give students even more time to practice their speaking/listening skills, rotate partners every five minutes. Bring the whole class back together and have students announce one new thing they learned about another student as a recap.

3. Simon SaysThis is an excellent game foryoung learners. Whether you're waking them up on a Monday morning or sending them home on a Friday afternoon, this one is bound to get them excited and wanting more. The only danger I have found with this game is that students never want to stop playing it. Why use it?Listening comprehension; Vocabulary; Warming up/winding down class Who it's best for:Young learnersHow to Play: Stand in front of the class (you are Simon for the duration of this game). Do an action and say Simon Says [action]. The students must copy what you do. Repeat this process choosing different actions - you can be as silly as you like and the sillier you are the more the children will love you for it. Then do an action but this time say only the action and omit 'Simon Says'. Whoever does the action this time is out and must sit down. The winner is the last student standing. To make it harder, speed up the actions. Reward children for good behavior by allowing them to play the part of Simon.

Take your students outside for interactive games4. Word Jumble RaceThis is a great game to encourage team work and bring a sense of competition to the classroom. No matter how old we are, we all love a good competition and this game works wonders with all age groups. It is perfect for practicing tenses, word order, reading & writing skills and grammar. Why use it?Grammar; Word Order; Spelling; Writing Skills Who it's best for:Adaptable to all levels/agesHow to play:This game requires some planning before the lesson. Write out a number of sentences, using different colors for each sentence. I suggest having 3-5 sentences for each team. Cut up the sentences so you have a handful of words. Put each sentence into hats, cups or any objects you can find, keeping each separate. Split your class into teams of 2, 3, or 4. You can have as many teams as you want but remember to have enough sentences to go around. Teams must now put their sentences in the correct order. The winning team is the first team to have all sentences correctly ordered.5. Hangman

This classic game is a favorite for all students but it can get boring quite quickly. This game is best used for 5 minutes at the start to warm the class up or 5 minutes at the end if you've got some time left over. It works no matter how many students are in the class.

Why use it?Warming up / winding down class Who it's best for:Young learnersHow to play:In case you've never played, here's a quick rundown. Think of a word and write the number of letters on the board using dashes to show many letters there are. Ask students to suggest a letter. If it appears in the word, write it in all of the correct spaces. If the letter does not appear in the word, write it off to the side and begin drawing the image of a hanging man. Continue until the students guess the word correctly (they win) or you complete the diagram (you win).

6. PictionaryThis is another game that works well with any age group; children love it because they can get creative in the classroom, teenagers love it because it doesn't feel like they're learning, and adults love it because it's a break from the monotony of learning a new language - even though they'll be learning as they play.Pictionary can help students practice their vocabulary and it tests to see if they're remembering the words you've been teaching. Why use it?Vocabulary Who it's best for:All ages; best with young learnersHow to play: Before the class starts, prepare a bunch of words and put them in a bag. Split the class into teams of 2 and draw a line down the middle of the board. Give one team member from each team a pen and ask them to choose a word from the bag. Tell the students to draw the word as a picture on the board and encourage their team to guess the word. The first team to shout the correct answer gets a point. The student who has completed drawing should then nominate someone else to draw for their team. Repeat this until all the words are gone - make sure you have enough words that each student gets to draw at least once!

7. The MimeMiming is an excellent way for students to practice their tenses and their verbs. It's also great for teachers withminimal resourcesor planning time, or teachers who want to break up a longer lesson with something more interactive. It's adaptable to almost any language point that you might be focusing on.This game works with any age group, although you will find that adults tire of this far quicker than children. To keep them engaged, relate what they will be miming to your groups' personal interests as best as possible. Why use it?Vocabulary; Speaking Who it's best for:All ages; best with young learnersHow to play: Before the class, write out some actions - like washing the dishes - and put them in a bag. Split the class into two teams. Bring one student from each team to the front of the class and one of them choose an action from the bag. Have both students mime the action to their team. The first team to shout the correct answer wins a point. Repeat this until all students have mimed at least one action.

Don't be afraid to be a little goofy8. Hot SeatThis is one of my students' favorite games and is always at the top of the list when I ask them what they want to play. I have never used this whileteaching ESL to adults, but I imagine it would work well.Hot Seat allows students to build their vocabulary and encourages competition in the classroom. They are also able to practice their speaking and listening skills and it can be used for any level of learner. Why use it?Vocabulary; Speaking and Listening Who it's best for:All ages and levelsHow to play: Split the class into 2 teams, or more if you have a large class. Elect one person from each team to sit in the Hot Seat, facing the classroom with the board behind them. Write a word on the board. One of the team members of the student in the hot seat must help the student guess the word by describing it. They have a limited amount of time and cannot say, spell or draw the word. Continue until each team member has described a word to the student in the Hot Seat.

9. Where Shall I Go?This game is used to test prepositions of movement and should be played after this subject has been taught in the classroom. This game is so much fun but it can be a little bit dangerous since you'll be having one student in each pair be blindfolded while the other directs them. So make sure to keepyoureyes open!It is also excellent for the adult EFL classroom, or if you'reteaching teenagers. Why use it?Prepositions; Speaking and Listening Who it's best for:All ages and levelsHow to play: Before the students arrive, turn your classroom into a maze by rearranging it. It's great if you can do this outside, but otherwise push tables and chairs together and move furniture to make your maze. When your students arrive, put them in pairs outside the classroom. Blindfold one student from each pair. Allow pairs to enter the classroom one at a time; the blindfolded student should be led through the maze by their partner. The students must use directions such as step over, go under, go up, and go down to lead their partner to the end of the maze.

10. What's My Problem?This is a brilliant EFL game to practice giving advice. It should be played after the 'giving advice' vocabulary lesson has taken place. It is a great way for students to see what they have remembered and what needs reviewing. This game works well with any age group, just adapt it to fit the age you're working with. Why use it?Speaking and Listening; Giving Advice Who it's best for:All ages and levelsHow to play: Write ailments or problems related to your most recent lesson on post-it notes and stick one post-it note on each student's back. The students must mingle and ask for advice from other students to solve their problem. Students should be able to guess their problem based on the advice they get from their peers. Use more complicated or obscure problems to make the game more interesting for older students. For lower levels and younger students, announce a category or reference a recent lesson, like "Health", to help them along.These games will keep your students engaged and happy as they learn! Remember, these are just ten on the hundreds of different EFL games that you can plat with your students. As you get more confident in the classroom, you can start putting your own spin on games and eventually make up your own.Whatever the age of your students, they're guaranteed to love playing EFL games in the classroom. An EFL classroom should be fun, active and challenging and these games are sure to get you heading in the right direction.What games do you love to play with your ESL students? Let us know in the comments!Photo Credits:Travel to Teach.When to PlayAfter all the days planned lessons have been completed, it is not uncommon to have a few minutes to spare before the bell rings. Or, sometimes you need to divide up a long lesson with a quick, energetic break. Use these time slots to invigorate students and enhance their vocabulary comprehension with mini games!These games are intentionally designed to require minimal preparation and basic rules so that you can quickly choose one and immediately get playing. The games can be used to review the current units words and older ones as well, and they serve as an excellent way to informally check for understanding. These games can also be expanded for longer play and review, which may be especially useful in after-school and summer-school sessions. Vary your games for increased interest; students may grow bored of the same game each week. It is always useful to model an example of game play before the game begins.The games are listed in order of critical thinking required; the earlier games review the basics and the later games require deeper critical thinking.Get aprintable list of these vocabulary games.a) Simple ListThe Rules:Divide students into two (or more) teams. Give each team one minute to list as many words as possible from the current unit on a piece of paper. The team with the most words wins.Materials Needed: Blank paper PensHow to Expand the Game: The team with the most words must explain the definition of each word. If they miss a definition, the other team can take over explaining those definitions to win.Look Out For: If you have a word wall, cover it during this game.Possible Modifications for ELLs and Students with Special Needs: Provide students with the first letter of the words or pictures of the words before they complete their list.

b) Conversation CompetitionThe Rules:Assign each student a partner. When the teacher says go, the students stand up and have a specific amount of time to talk with their partners on any appropriate subject. They must use at least 10 of the units words in their conversation and check them off as they use them. When theyve used all 10, they sit down. The teacher should circulate the classroom during the game to engage students in conversation and keep them on task. The first students to finish win a prize, but only if they share their conversation with the class and used the words correctly. If not, the next group shares, and so forth.Materials Needed: Units word list for each student (can also use index of book)How to Expand the Game: After the game, you might ask multiple student groups who were having strong, vocabulary-rich discussions to share their conversation with the class. If students have been sitting for a long time prior to the start of the game, you can encourage the partner groups to walk around the room together while they talk.Look Out For: Make sure that students are not using words to discuss inappropriate matters or insult each other. Make sure students are using words correctly.Possible Modifications for ELLs and Students with Special Needs: Partner ELLs with native speakers. Use a shorter list of words. Give students specific topics to discuss.

c) Erase a WordThe Rules:Divide students into two teams. Write two lists of unit words on the board (one for each member of each team). Each team forms a line leading to the board. When given the signal, the first child on each team goes up to the board, points at the first word in the teams column, and reads aloud that word. If the student reads the word correctly, he or she erases that word. The student then moves to the back of his or her teams line. The first team to erase all the words on their list wins.Materials Needed: Chalk or marker EraserHow to Expand the Game: Instead of pronunciation, students could say the definition of the word, give an example of the word, correct a misspelled word, etc., in order to erase it.Look Out For: Make sure students in line dont call out the answers.Possible Modifications for ELLs and Students with Special Needs: Review the pronunciation of words before the game begins.

d) Vocab ShotThe Rules:Divide the class into two teams. Each member of the team is asked a vocabulary question (definition, spelling, pronunciation, etc.). If the student gets the answer right, he wins a point for his team, and he has the chance of getting another question if hes able to make a basketball shot. If the student makes the shot, hes asked another question. If he gets that right, he has another chance at the basketball shot, but this time he must take a step or two back. This continues until the student misses a shot or gets a question wrong. In either case, the next question goes to the other team. After everyone has had a turn, the team with the most points wins.Materials Needed: Foam basketball and hoop (or paper wad and recycling bin) List of words for teacherHow to Expand the Game: Each time the student earns another basketball shot, the difficulty of questions can increase. For instance, the first question could be spelling, the second question could be a definition, etc.Possible Modifications for ELLs and Students with Special Needs: You can vary the level of difficulty for each question depending on each students level. For instance, give spelling and pronunciation questions to students who are struggling with vocabulary, and definition and example questions to students who have already mastered spelling and pronunciation.

e) Circle RotationThe Rules:Divide class into two groups and have them form an inner and outer circle, with students facing each other. For the first 15 seconds, each student in the inner circle asks a prepared vocabulary question (about spelling, pronunciation, definition, example, etc.) to the student she is facing. If the outer-circle student answers correctly, the inner-circle student signs his word list. For the next 15 seconds, the outer-circle student asks the inner-circle student a question, and signs her sheet if she answers correctly. Then students rotate to the right and repeat the process with the new students they face. Whoever has the most signatures at the end of the game time wins.Materials Needed: List of words for each student Pen for each studentHow to Expand the Game: Play until everyone has reached his or her original partner.Look Out For: Make sure to demonstrate different types of vocabulary questions. If you have an odd number of students, make one student the supervisor who walks around the circle to keep other students on task.Possible Modifications for ELLs and Students with Special Needs: Give students one minute or more to prepare questions. They can use the same questions multiple times. Expand question-and-answer time to 30 seconds or a minute.

f) Mini Game ShowThe Rules:Divide students into two teams and give each student a number. Number 1 from each team comes to the front of the room. The teacher reads a clue related to a word (the clue could be a definition or example of the word) and the first person to slap the board or desk gets to answer. If correct, his team earns a point. If incorrect, the person from the other team has a chance to earn a point. Repeat with the following sets of students. The team with the most points wins.Materials Needed: Clues for each wordHow to Expand the Game: With further preparation, you can arrange the clues on the board according to category with varying points and difficulties, just like on TV.Look Out For: Depending on your comfort level, you can prepare the clues in advance or make up clues on the spot.Possible Modifications for ELLs and Students with Special Needs: Post possible words on the chalkboard. Have students compete from their seats rather than come to the front of the class. Have students compete in teams.

g) CharadesThe Rules:Divide students into two teams. One student from one team comes to the front of the class, chooses a word from the basket, and acts out the word without speaking. Whichever team yells out the correct word first earns a point. The next student to act out a word comes from the other team, and so on. Whichever team has the most points when time is called wins.Materials Needed: Each word on a separate small piece of paper A basketHow to Expand the Game: This game can be played for a longer period of time to review for an exam. You can also include bonus words from other units for deeper review.Look Out For: Make sure to have a set time period so that students feel it is fair for one team to win.Possible Modifications for ELLs and Students with Special Needs: Post possible words on the chalkboard. Use a smaller group of words. Play the game in small groups, with one student acting out the word for two or three classmates.

h) Guess My WordThe Rules:Divide students into two teams. One student from one team comes toWhichever team yells out the correct word first earns a point. The next student to describe a word comes from the other team, and so on. Whichever team has the most points when time is called wins. You may wish to limit each team to two or three guesses per turn.Materials Needed: Each word on a separate small piece of paper A basketHow to Expand the Game: For each word, write a list of commonly associated words that the students cannot use in their descriptions.Look Out For: Make sure to have a set time period so that students feel it is fair for one team to win.Possible Modifications for ELLs and Students with Special Needs: Give students the full list ahead of time and allow them to write out their clues for each word so they dont have to come up with clues on the spot.

i) Thats SketchyThe Rules:Divide students into two teams. One student from one team comes to the front of the class, chooses a word from the basket, and draws a picture representation of the word without writing any letters. Whichever team yells out the correct word first earns a point. The next student to draw a word comes from the other team, and so on. Whichever team has the most points when time is called wins. You may wish to limit each team to two or three guesses per turn.Materials Needed: Each word on a separate small piece of paper A basket Chalk or markerHow to Expand the Game: This game can be played for a longer period of time to review for an exam. You can also include bonus words from other units for deeper review.Look Out For: Make sure to have a set time period so that students feel it is fair for one team to win.Possible Modifications for ELLs and Students with Special Needs: Post possible words on the chalkboard. Use a smaller group of words. Play the game in small groups, with one student drawing the word for two or three classmates.

j) CategoriesThe Rules:The teacher announces a category and students select the words that go into that category.Possible categories include: Nouns Verbs Adjectives Emotional words Temporal words Put the words in alphabetical order Words with three syllables Words with prefixes or suffixesMaterials Needed: A set of all words on small separate sheets of paper for each studentHow to Expand the Game: Have students explain why they put certain words in each category.Look Out For: Circulate the classroom to make sure all students are engaged. This game works best with a large group of words. If students have a word that you didnt expect in a category, ask them to explain their reasoning.Possible Modifications for ELLs and Students with Special Needs: Students can sort words into their own categories and then have other students guess what the category is. Students can work in groups.k) Newspaper DetectiveThe Rules:Hand at least one page of the newspaper or magazine to each student. Each student finds a picture or article that relates to a word from the week and cuts it out. After most students have found words, ask them to explain to the class why their picture or article relates to their word of choice.Materials Needed: Any newspaper or magazine (can use one or a few) ScissorsHow to Expand the Game: Have students write on a separate sheet of paper why this picture or article relates to their chosen word. Possibly post some on the word wall. Ask students to find as many articles or pictures as possible that relate to multiple words.Look Out For: Try to choose sections of the newspaper with more pictures, including ads. Make sure to leave time for students to clean up their newspaper and magazine scraps.Possible Modifications for ELLs and Students with Special Needs: Students can work in groups to find related pictures and articles. Students can bring in newspapers or magazines in their native language.

l) Word Up BaseballThe Rules:Divide students into two teams and create a baseball diamond in your classroom (or go outside if possible). The teacher is the pitcher. Each member of team 1 takes a word and stands in the infield and outfield. Team 2 stands in line at home plate. The teacher asks a question from Fix the Mistake or Pick the Winner and then tosses the ball to the batter. The batter says the correct word and then throws the ball to the correct word. The team earns one point if the batter says the correct word and two points if he or she hits the correct word. After three incorrect words (strikes), the teams switch. The game ends when the teacher calls time or when all questions are complete.Materials Needed: Use with Fix the Mistake or Pick the Winner for middle-school levels A large photocopy of each word on a separate sheet of paper A foam ball, tennis ball, or crumpled piece of paperHow to Expand the Game: You can create additional questions to play this game beyond workbook exercises. To review, students can complete the exercises in their workbooks after the game. If playing outside, you can increase difficulty by playing with a bat.Look Out For: Make sure to use a soft ball (not a softball) so it doesnt hurt any students.Possible Modifications for ELLs and Students with Special Needs: Students can complete exercises in their workbooks before the game starts. Summary:Show off your acting skills. Little preparation for a fun game. Easy word list provided, ready to print. Goal:Try to guess or act the secret word or phrase. Whoever has the most points wins the game.

Preparation:- Download and print the word list (Theme: Movies)How to Play Charades:1. Separate everyone into teams of about four*. Ask one volunteer from each team come up. The volunteers are not allowed to talk during the game, and arent allowed to motion any letters or numbers.2. Show the volunteers only the first word/phrase. When you say Go, the volunteers need to start acting the word/phrase or other hints and help the team guess the word. The first team that raises their hand and guesses the object correctly wins one point for their team.3. Go through the list of words with new volunteers. The first team to reach 10 points wins the game.You can adjust the number of people within each group as you wish. To add this game to your website or blog, just copy and paste the following URL:http://www.greatgroupgames.com/charades You May Also Enjoy: Picture Guess-Song Title Game-Alphabet Back Game